PENETRATION AND LOSS OF HEAVY APPLICATIONS OF BORAX IN FLORIDA MINERAL SOILS

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Abstract
Borax was applied to Arredondo loamy fine sand at rates of 0, 100, 400, and 1600 pounds per acre and to Lakeland fine sand at rates of 0, 100, 400, and 800 pounds per acre. The former received during the 4-, 12-, and 24-month periods of the expt. a rainfall of 34.51, 59.65, and 124.99 inches, respectively; the latter a deep sand, received during corresponding periods a rainfall of 16.56, 64.35, and 128.45 inches. Reaction was about pH 5.6 in both soils. Analysis for boiling-water-extractable B at 4 months showed notable penetration into the clay subsoil of Arredondo, with the maximum concn. from the 100-lb. rate at the 21-28-inch depth, while from 1600 lbs. the maximum was at the 28-35-inch depth. Maximum concn. was not found in the 35-42-inch depth until 24 mos. after appln. For Lakeland no concn. maxima were observed, as these apparently had passed belwo the 42-inch depth before the 4-mo. samples were taken. Amts. remaining in the 0-7-inch depth of Arredondo from applns. of 100, 400, and 1600 lbs. were, respectively, 6.7, 9.2, and 17.6 lbs. of borax per acre after 4 mos.; 3.3, 3.6, and 11.2 lbs. after 12 mos.; and 0.4, 1.2, and 3.2 lbs. after 24 mos. In Lakeland the amts. remaining in the topsoil from the 100-, 400-, and 800-lbs. applns. were, respectively 3.7, 17.2, and 28 lbs. of borax per acre after 4 months; 1.1, 2, and 4 lbs. after 12 mos.; and 0.0, 1.2, and 1.6 lbs. after 24 mos. Borax in herbicidal quantities did not remain in the topsoil of either Lakeland fine sand or Arredondo loamy fine sarid for as long as 4 mos. from time of appln., even from amts. as high as 800 and 1600 per acre.

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